Title: Development Fundraiser 

Department: Department of Development, Alumni Relations, Fellows and Members

Tenure: Full-time, Permanent

Location: RCSI, St Stephens Green, Dublin 2

Reporting to: Director of Development

About RCSI:

RCSI is a community of academic, research, clinical and professional staff working collaboratively to lead the world to better health. Here, you will thrive in an innovative and inclusive atmosphere, and your personal development and wellbeing will be supported. We invite you to join us to help deliver on our exciting mission “To educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health”. We seek candidates whose experience to date has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to the “Race Equality Action Plan 2025-2029” at RCSI. Our students come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. This makes our university stronger and ensures we hire the best talent.   

For each of the last six years, RCSI has been positioned in the Top 300 of universities worldwide in the Times Higher World University Rankings. We are proud that RCSI ranks first in the world for “Good Health and Well-being” in the Times Higher Education #SDG #SDG Impact Rankings 2025. This reflects our commitment to supporting people of all ages to live healthy lives and our work to promote the concepts of well-being and positive health. Our values of Respect, Collaboration, Scholarship and Innovation continue to unite and direct our purpose.  

Innovating for a Healthier Future 2023-2027 is RCSI's new five-year strategic plan. Through it, RCSI will enhance human health by meeting the health workforce needs of society, creating the insights and inventions that drive health improvements, and working in partnership with patients and the public in support of better health and well-being for all. The strategy unites the RCSI community in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals – with a particular focus on Goal 3, which targets good health and well-being. More details about RCSI can be found at www.rcsi.ie; in particular.  

At RCSI, our core values of Respect, Collaboration, Scholarship, and Innovation are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where every colleague is valued and empowered to thrive. Our dedication to these values ensures that we foster a culture of mutual respect, open collaboration, continuous learning, and innovative thinking. Join us at RCSI, where your contributions will be recognised, and you will be part of a dynamic team making a real impact on global health.  

About the Development Department:

The Development Department is responsible for RCSI's fundraising and manages engagement with Alumni, Fellows and Members; currently a team of 12. The Development Department plays an increasingly important role in delivering RCSI's ambitions through the RCSI_TOMORROW campaign; a comprehensive campaign to achieve significant and long-lasting impact on global health via disciplined and strategic philanthropic initiatives in education and research. Achievement of the campaign goal will require the ongoing growth of donors from all constituencies; foundations, corporations, alumni and individuals who support RCSI's ambition.

 About the Role:

The Development Fundraiser will be integral within RCSI's Development function and will build on the foundation created since the campaign was established in 2016. This role will lead on increasing five figures giving from alumni, primarily through the Class Reunion Giving and focus on long term income growth through the planned giving legacy programme. The desired candidate will work collaboratively with Alumni Relations colleagues to build new alumni relationships and engage effectively with stakeholders across the University.

Responsibilities: 

•    Devise and implement fundraising strategies to increase five figure gifts from RCSI's donor alumni community (in Ireland and internationally) year on year.

•    Deliver on the team's alumni fundraising annual target, which is primarily driven by the Class Reunion Giving Programme; create a prospect pipeline, instil nostalgia, and deepen engagement with each of the reunion classes on a 5-year cycle.

•    Utilise a data-driven approach to mine information available to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni donors and prospects.

•    Build a robust donor and prospect pipeline able to support the annual and overall campaign goal.

•    Grow a legacy/planned giving programme that is in its infancy from RCSI's alumni community.

•    Develop excellent relationships with alumni donors and prospects.

•    Use compelling methods of communication to build relationships with donors and negotiate effectively to achieve positive outcomes.

•    Work closely with Alumni Relations and Fundraising colleagues to support fundraising success across the team and drive activity. 

•    Maintain the highest standards of professionalism and best practice in the execution of fundraising plans and strategies. 

•    Produce high quality proposals, acknowledgements and other donor communications.

Core Competencies: Essential 

•    Third level qualification; degrees in such areas as business administration, communications, marketing or social science

•    Highly motivated fundraiser who can meet targets, exceed expectations, and enthusiastic about accountability

•    Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills

•    Ability to clearly articulate RCSI's mission, vision, and values in a concise and compelling way to donors and prospects

•    Strong project management skills with an ability to manage multiple priorities

•    Excellent initiative, able to advance strategies with minimal supervision

•    An ability to forecast and be pro-active in developing new strategies to meet goals

•    Ability to be detail oriented, thinking analytically, and use good judgment to make accurate decision

Core Competencies: Desirable 

•    An understanding of the role of alumni relations and fundraising in higher education

•    Marketing or sales experience in a service-oriented industry, or similar institution  

•    Knowledge of CRM database software (Raisers Edge NXT, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics)

•    Desirable experience of strategic fundraising, including a legacy giving programme

We are all too aware that imposter syndrome and the confidence gap can sometimes stop fantastic candidates putting themselves forward, so please do submit an application — we'd love to hear from you.  

Application Process  

Please apply online through the RCSI careers portal on the closing date with your CV and cover letter.  

Informal Enquiries:  

Informal enquiries are invited in the first instance through Rebecca O'Brien, Human Resources Department (email: rebeccaobrien@rcsi.ie) All applications for this post must be made through the career's webpage www.rcsi.com/careers. Rebecca can arrange for relevant queries to be addressed by the hiring manager. Please note that we do not accept CVs directly.  

Garda vetting and occupational health review may be required for this role, depending on the nature of the duties and responsibilities. Further information will be provided during the recruitment process.   

Eligibility to Work in Ireland  

Please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have unrestricted right to work in Ireland.  

Employee Benefits  

At RCSI, we help care for our people so they can focus on our mission to Educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health. RCSI truly goes above and beyond to support its employees, ensuring they have everything they need to thrive both personally and professionally. Here's a glimpse of the fantastic benefits available:  

Health and Wellbeing:  

•    Our Inspire Programme promotes the importance of taking care of both our general health and mental health. Inspire manages the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offered through SpectrumLife. Past events held by Inspire have included, workshops on mindfulness practices, yoga, nutritional advice, financial advice on mortgages, pensions & health insurance from leading experts, fitness challenges, baking competitions, weight loss programmes, annual flu vaccination campaign and many more.  

•    You can also enjoy access to an onsite gym for just €10 per month.  

Work –Life Balance:  

•    Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for fostering employee well-being, productivity, and overall satisfaction. At RCSI, we offer flexible working arrangements, study leave, and career breaks. In addition to 20 days of annual leave, employees receive an extra 6.5 days of university privilege days, which occur annually around the Christmas and Easter breaks.  

Family Benefits:  

•    RCSI offers enhanced family leave to our working parents with fully paid Maternity, Adoptive, Paternity and Surrogacy Leave. We also offer the first two weeks of Parents leave fully paid for, as well as the option to take Parental Leave until your child is 18 years old. We provide access to Platform 55, a new Parents Platform to support staff before, during, and after becoming a parent. We also offer flexible working, discounted Giraffe crèche services of up to 20% and a Parents and Carers' Network.  

Financial Security:  

•    Benefit from automatic enrolment in a pension scheme with Willis Towers Watson with the employer contributions increasing with your length of service, Death in Service of up to 4 times your salary, long-term illness and disability income replacement, and free advice on health, motor, and home insurance.  

Discounted Services:  

•    Avail of discounted GP services, Taxsaver commuter tickets, the BiketoWork scheme, free eye tests at the National Optometry Centre, and discounted parking at St. Stephen's Green/RCSI car park.  

Recognition:  

•    At RCSI, we value and recognise the contributions of our staff through various awards and events, such as Long Service recognition, the Vice Chancellor Staff Awards, and through Research Day.  

Professional Growth:  

•    RCSI's Staff Learning and Development is committed to providing colleagues with opportunities and support to help them reach their full potential and thrive at work. Offerings include a comprehensive programme of staff training, management and leadership development, mentoring, coaching and funding support for further study.  

Staff Networks:  

•    Additionally, we support a range of staff networks, including the Women's Network, Postdoctoral Staff Network, Parents & Carers' Network, Project Manager's Network, LGBTI+ Network, Age Friendly Network etc. These networks help RCSI to foster a sense of community and inclusivity.  

Sports and Social Club:  

•    Engage in a variety of activities such as Yoga, Pilates and a variety of different Fitness classes. Enjoy social evenings, Book Clubs, Summer BBQs and one-off events like the Taste of Dublin, Bloom, Dublin Horse Show and Dublin Zoo. We also have a variety of discount tickets for shows and events through the year.  

Note: This job description may be subject to change to reflect the evolving requirements of the Department and RCSI. Similar vacancies that arise in the next 6 months may be filled from the pool of applicants that apply for this position. RCSI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or race. RCSI is committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across everything we do. This ensures we can all work and learn in an environment defined by dignity and respect. Eligibility to work in Ireland is a requirement of this role, Proof of eligibility documentation will be required at a later date. Under limited and specific circumstances (research/ specialist roles) RCSI may be in a position to seek a hosting agreement and/or work permits. Employees are required to undertake 6 months service in their current role before applying for other internal opportunities, unless agreed in advance by the SMT representative